US FDA authorises Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for kids aged between 5 to 11 years

The United States Food and Drug Administration on Friday (October 29) authorised the Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE Covid-19 vaccine, which has shown 90.7 per cent efficacy in clinical trials, for children ages 5 to 11 years. This will be the first Covid-19 jab for young children to be authorised for administration in the United States.

Also read: Pfizer says Covid vaccine more than 90% effective in kids

However, the Covid-19 vaccine will be available for this age group only after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises how to administer the shot, which reportedly set to be decided on Tuesday.

The FDA has authorised a 10-microgram dose of the Pfizer vaccine in young children. Pfizer said that shipping of pediatric vials to places where the shot will be administered will begin from Saturday (October 30).

Also read: Pfizer jab highly effective against severe COVID for at least six months, suggests study

With this United States joins countries like China, Cuba and UAE to have cleared Covid-19 vaccines for children between 5 to 11 years.

According to reports, only 58 per cent of the population in United States has been fully vaccinated. Given that there are apprehensions among adults in the country to get vaccinated, it is likely that they may be cautious about giving the Covid-19 jab to their children.

The Pfizer vaccine was the first to be authorized in the United States last December for those above the age of 16.